Markize’s new release, A Perfect Lie, is a polished follow-up to the band’s 2007 debut, Transparence. It should appeal strongly to fans of Delain and Within Temptation, as well as fans of Markize’s previous album.

Indeed, A Perfect Lie takes Markize’s strengths from Transparence -- dramatic composition and beautiful vocals -- to a new level, but this time the songs are also catchier and more accessible.

The album opens with the lead single, "Mechanical Hearts," which showcases the album’s sound. The song starts with playful piano notes overlaid with electronic sounds, transitions to airy sighing vocals, and then turns to crunchy guitars. After that, the verse begins with soft and longing vocals accented by continued guitar crunch ("Any sense of what I am feeling/Any beat of lashes, any beat of my dirty heart/In my veins will be in vain"), followed by a harsher bridge with electronically distorted vocals ("Are your hearts beating in this dirty paradise?"), and finally an anthem-like chorus ("Any time, I know I lose myself/In my beautiful cry/Anytime I know I lose myself/In my beautiful lie"). The lyrics are intriguing, the sounds are varied, and the song is very catchy. It is also the subject of a stylish video on YouTube with a surprising twist. The video also highlights that singer Alina Dunaevskaya is as gorgeous as her voice. Incidentally, Alina pulls off the varied vocals live by using two different microphones, one clean and one distorted.

Next up is the beautiful power ballad, "Vcio Praidiot." It starts with haunting vocals and quiet guitars before building to another anthem-like chorus, more intense vocals, and a nice guitar solo. And yes, the title and lyrics are in Russian (reflecting Alina’s Russian heritage), and I have no idea what they mean. I’m guessing that Alina is longing for something, and the song makes me want to help her find it. In any case, despite not knowing what the song means, I absolutely love it. It’s amazing live too. Incidentally, I also love another Russian song on the album, "Pracipaicia," which also mixes beauty and distortion (for both the vocals and guitars), with a strong sense of urgency.

The best song on the album in my opinion is "A New Era." When this song gets into your head, it won’t leave. More than any other song, it also embodies the album’s playful sonic variations, starting with light electronic distortions in the vocals ("I see in your eyes/Innocent just in your lies") before hitting the strongest guitar riff on the album. The electronic distortion continues in the urgent vocals of the verse ("Try to understand, this is not a lie/The earth is dying when/your pleasure’s high"). The opening lyrics then return in anthem form as a compelling chorus, followed by more guitar crunch, and a steadily building, driving rhythm. The middle of the song features an intoxicating electronic chant followed by a stunning clear vocalization that gives me goose bumps and is reminiscent of Sharon den Adel’s best. The song then closes with its driving chorus and guitars. My only regret is that the studio version is not quite as heavy or compelling as the pre-release live version that I’ve watched many times on the band’s YouTube page. Regardless, I love it!

The rest of the album is generally consistent and good all the way through. There is a third Russian song and two French songs (reflecting the Paris-based band’s French/Russian heritage); the rest of the album is in English. I don’t think anyone should be put off by the album’s mix of languages; the languages add to the variety and are no more distracting than the way Epica and other bands in the genre use Latin. Alina’s English is also proficient and clever. I do wish that the band would put translations on their website, however.

As my colleague Max Levites wrote in his recent review of the release concert for A Perfect Lie, Markize (pronounced "Mar-keys") is a band whose amazing talent warrants much more attention, both in France and abroad. They received good exposure recently opening for Tarja Turunen, and are absolutely amazing live. (I’ve seen them twice so far during my time in Paris.) I truly hope that A Perfect Lie is their breakthrough. I would love to see them play the Metal Female Voices Fest in Belgium again (they played there in 2008), and think they should try for a U.S. introduction at ProgPower U.S.A. (which often hosts European bands’ first U.S. appearance). I also think they would make a fantastic opener for Delain.

Markize’s line up for A Perfect Lie consists of Alina Dunaevskaya (vocals, keys and lyrics), David Verbecq (drums), Franck Chentrier (guitar), and Julien De Feyssal (bass). In addition to being great musicians, they are really charming and down-to-earth people.

The album is currently available everywhere on iTunes, with the CD available on the band’s website. They are happy to ship internationally.

Rating 9 / 10

For fans of: Delain, Within Temptation, Elyose

Best songs: "A New Era," "Vcio Praidiot," "Mechanical Hearts"